A mesonet is a network of automated weather
stations that provides high definition weather
coverage: areas of just a few hundred square
miles and time intervals of several times per
hour. This can be contrasted with the typical
coverage that is thousands of square miles
and hourly. Mesonets excel in providing high
precision data particularly with highly variable
elements like wind and precipitation.

How can my business or organization
sponsor a South Dakota Mesonet station?

Sponsors play an important role in keeping
the South Dakota Mesonet running. Coops,
businesses, water authorities, even private
individuals sponsor stations to get data for
agricultural spraying, watershed management
and as a community outreach opportunity.
Contact Us
about sponsoring a new or existing station in your area.

How should rainfall be interpreted?

South Dakota Mesonet stations use gauges intended
to measure rainfall. In the event of snow, hail or
other frozen/freezing precipitation, underreporting
and delayed reporting can occur. If the current day’s
low temperature is below freezing a warning will
appear next to the reported rainfall to warn of this
possibility.

How is soil temperature measured?

SD Mesonet Mobile reports 24 hour average temperature measured at a depth of four inches.
Reporting is under bare soil (under sod for Mahto, Hamill and Oral).

Why isn't heat index or wind chill displayed?

Heat index and wind chill are displayed only when conditions are applicable.
For heat index, this is when air temperatures are 80° and higher and relative
humidities are 40% or higher. For wind chill, this is when air temperatures
are 50° and lower and wind speeds are over 3 mph.

How is pressure is reported?

SD Mesonet Mobile pressure is altimeter (pressure adjusted for elevation).
The trend (falling, steadying or rising) is three hour.